BIRDING IN LANZAROTE (CANARY ISLANDS)

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - MAY 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On May 2008, two new species were added to our island´s list: Red-footed Falcon* (1 ad. male observed by A. Unquiles Cobos and F. J. García Vargas on 26/V at San Bartolomé, there is a special photopage of the bird in this blog) and Great Reed Warbler (1 bird observed by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Teguise).

Another new for Lanzarote and the Canary Islands was the Black-headed Wagtail (1 ad. male observed between 5 and 7/V at Tías golf course). A special photopage of this bird can be seen in this blog too.

Another rarities were the following species: Short-toed Eagle (1 bird observed by A. Unquiles on 12/V at Teguise golf course), Temminck´s Stint (the bird at Tías golf course remained there until 05/V), European Scops Owl (1 bird observed by J. Sagardía and F. J. García Vargas on 11/V at Teguise) and Common Grasshopper Warbler (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Teguise).

About scarce migrants were interesting the observations of Squacco Heron at Arrecife and Tías golf course, Purple Heron (2 birds seen by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Arrecife, remaining there until at least 13/V), White Stork (flock of 8 birds seen by A. Unquiles on 29/V flying over Playa Honda), Eurasian Marsh Harrier at Arrecife and Famara plains, Montagu´s Harrier (birds at Famara plains), Osprey (1 bird observed by A. Unquiles on 04/V at Tías golf course probably was a bird on migration), Lesser Kestrel (at least 3 birds near Zonzamas rubbish dump, remaining there into June), Common Moorhen at Tías golf course, Eurasian Oystercatcher (1 bird at Janubio on 09 and 12/V), Collared Pratincole (2 birds at Arrecife and 3 birds at Tías golf course), Little Ringed Plovers at Tías golf course too, European Golden Plover (6 or 7 birds observed by F. J. García Vargas on 09/V at Janubio salt pans), Common Snipe (birds at Tías golf course and the farm at Famara plains), Wood Sandpiper (birds at Janubio, Tías golf course, tha farm at Famara plains, Arrecife and Los Cocoteros salt pans), Common Cuckoo (2 birds seen by J. Sagardía at Famara plains on 01/V), European Bee-eater, European Roller (1 bird at Tías golf course between 05 and 11/V), Greater Short-toed Lark (2 birds observed by F. J. García Vargas and J. Sagardía on 05/V at Tías golf course), Sand Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Tree Pipit, Red-throated Pipit (birds at Tías golf course and 1 bird at Arrecife on 12/V), Common Nightingale (1 bird observed by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Teguise), Whinchat, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Western Olivaceous Warbler (1 bird at Teguise between 03 and 15/V), Western Bonelli´s Warbler, Eurasian Golden Oriole (a group of about 10 birds between 01 and 04/V at gardens inside some properties at Famara plains) and Woodchat Shrike.

*We would like to thank DANIEL FAMILIAR MORSE for giving us the information about this bird.

MAY 2008 LANZAROTE COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron. Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Purple Heron

White Stork

Egyptian Vulture

Short-toed Eagle

Short-toed Eagle. Teguise golf course. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Montagu´s Harrier

Osprey

Osprey. Tías golf course. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Lesser Kestrel

Common Kestrel

Red-footed Falcon

Eleonora´s Falcon

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Common Moorhen

Houbara Bustard

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Cream-coloured Courser

Collared Pratincole

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Little Stint

Temminck´s Stint

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Common Snipe

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper. Farm at Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Common Cuckoo

Common Cuckoo. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

European Scops Owl

European Scops Owl. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Plain Swift

Pallid Swift

European Bee-eater

European Roller

European Roller. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Hoopoe

Greater Short-toed Lark

Greater Short-toed Lark. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Yellow Wagtail (including flava, flavissima, iberiae, thunbergi, cinereocapilla and feldegg)

White Wagtail

Common Nightingale

Whinchat

Northern Wheatear

Common Grasshopper Warbler

Common Grashopper Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Eurasian Reed Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Great Reed Warbler

Western Olivaceous Warbler

Western Olivaceous Warbler. Teguise. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Western Olivaceous Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Melodious Warbler

Spectacled Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Common Whitethroat

Western Bonelli´s Warbler

Wood Warbler

Willow Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

Eurasian Golden Oriole

Eurasian Golden Oriole. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Golden Oriole. Famara plains. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Southern Grey Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - THE RED-FOOTED FALCON AT SAN BARTOLOMÉ, LANZAROTE

by Antonio Unquiles Cobos and Francisco Javier García Vargas

On 26/V/2008 a birdwatcher who is living at Lanzarote informed to J. Sagardía by an email about the presence of a Red-footed Falcon at San Bartolomé. J. Sagardía (who is out of the island at the moment) told us this amazing new and we go there trying to find it.

Finally, between 18.00 and 18.30, we could see the bird, a beautiful adult male. We could take some pics of the bird and it was so difficult because the light was very poor. The bird was very active, haunting insects and we could see how it robbed some preys to the Common Kestrels from their feets and how the gulls were constantly attacking it. At least an adult male Lesser Kestrel was at the area too.

We enjoyed very much the observation of this first for our personal list, and we hope you enjoy the photos.

Red-footed Falcon. San Bartolomé. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-footed Falcon (with Lesser Kestrel). San Bartolomé. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-footed Falcon. San Bartolomé. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-footed Falcon. San Bartolomé. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Friday, May 9, 2008 - BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL AT TÍAS GOLF COURSE. FIRST FOR THE CANARY ISLANDS

by Juan Sagardía Pradera, Francisco Javier García Vargas and Antonio Unquiles Cobos

On 05/V/2008, J. Sagardía detected an adult male of Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg at Tías golf course. F. J. García Vargas and J. Sagardía visited again this place the same day in the afternoon and the bird was still there, being observed again by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos on 07/V/2008.

The bird was very shy and nervous, flying at a long distance and was very difficult to take photographs of it.

This is an extreme vagrant to the Canary Islands and (if accepted) it will be the first record for the archipelago.

Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Monday, May 5, 2008 - APRIL 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT: THE SPECTACLE OF MIGRATION

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On April 2008, we could enjoy the most spectacular migration we have ever seen in Lanzarote, with the irruption of hundreds of birds all around the island.

With this great variety, three new species have been added to our personal list: Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (1 bird detected by F. J. García Vargas y A. Unquiles on 26/IV near Teguise golf course, beeing a very long awaited first for the list and one of the highlights of the month), Black-eared Wheatear (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía on 02/IV at Famara plains) and Fieldfare (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at Guatiza on 02/IV).

About rarities, is remarkable the presence of 2 Pallid Harriers seen by J. Sagardía on 04/IV at Famara plains, beeing the second and third for the island, all seen on the same spring and by the same (lucky) observer. A Temminck´s Stint was seen by F. J. García Vargas, A. Unquiles and J. Sagardía at Tías golf course between 02 and 04/IV and again on 30/IV remaining there into May. The bird shows a ring on the right leg.

Water Pipits were present at Tías golf course until at least 01/IV, and there, was seen by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles a new Citrine Wagtail, this time an adult female on 12/IV. This is the second bird of this spring after the adult male seen in a farm at Famara plains on March and a photopage of the bird can be seen on this blog. An adult male Ortolan Bunting was seen by J. Sagardía on 04/IV at Famara plains and an adult female was seen the same day by the same observer near Teguise golf course.

About rare and scarce migrants, Black-crowned Night Heron (3 birds seen by A. Unquiles on 19/IV at Mala reservoir), Squacco Heron (2 birds I saw on 30/IV at Tías golf course), Purple Heron (1 bird near Teguise golf course on 01/IV, 5 birds at the same place on 02/IV and 1 bird at Arrecife seen first time on 06/IV remaining there into May), Pintail (1 adult male seen by J. Sagardía on 01 and 02/IV at Los Cocoteros salt pans), Black Kite (1 bird at Mala reservoir on 04/IV, 4 birds at Zonzamas rubbish dump on the same day, 5 birds at the same place one day after and 2 birds still there on 23/IV), Eurasian Marsh Harrier (birds at Arrecife, Famara plains, Mala reservoir, Tías and Teguise golf courses), Montagu´s Harrier (2 birds at Famara plains 02/IV, a spectacular flock of at least 25 birds at the same place on 04/IV, and 3 birds still there on 13/IV remaining some birds into May), Lesser Kestrel (bird still at Famara plains until at least 02/IV), Common Moorhen (birds at Arrecife and Tías golf course), Eurasian Oystercatcher (1 bird at Janubio salt pans on 25/IV), Collared Pratincole (1 bird near Teguise golf course on 02/IV, 2 birds in a farm at Famara plains on 06/IV and 1 bird at Tías golf course on 25/IV increasing to 3 on 30/IV remaining there into May), Little Ringed Plover (birds at Tías golf course), Little Stint (a strong passage of birds starting on 28/IV with a flock of more than 20 birds in summer plumage at Janubio salt pans), Eurasian Curlew (birds at Janubio), Wood Sandpiper (the highest number of birds ever seen with 4 birds at Janubio, 10 birds at Tías golf course and 6 birds in the farm at Famara plains, remaining a good number into May), Gull-billed Tern (1 bird I saw at Caleta de Famara on 10/IV), Wood Pigeon (2 birds seen by J. Sagardía on 03/IV at Teguise golf course), Alpine Swift (1 bird I saw on 25/IV at Janubio), European Bee-eater (the highest numbers ever seen, with birds all aroud the island, sometimes in flocks of more than 50 birds), European Roller (1 bird near Teguise golf course on 25/IV increasing to 2 on 26/IV), Eurasian Wryneck (1 bird seen by A. Unquiles on 28/IV in the farm at Famara plains), and an spectacular passage of passerines including as more remarkable species: Tawny Pipit (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía on 01/IV at Famara plains), Tree pipit (birds all around the island), Red-throated Pipit (birds at Tías golf course, remaining there into May), Common Nightingale (birds near Teguise golf course and the farm at Famara plains), Whinchat (birds all aroud the island), Redwing (birds until at least 02/IV near Teguise golf course), Western Bonelli´s Warbler, Eurasian Golden Oriole (1 adult male near Teguise golf course on 21/IV and an adult female on 26/IV at the same place) and Woodchat Shrike.

APRIL 2008 LANZAROTE COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Black-crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron. Mala reservoir. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Purple Heron

Purple Heron. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Pintail

Pintail. Los Cocoteros salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black Kite

Black Kite. Zonzamas rubbish dump. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Egyptian Vulture

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Eurasian Marsh Harrier. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Pallid Harier

Pallid Harrier. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Montagu´s Harrier

Montagu´s Harrier. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Lesser Kestrel

Common Kestrel

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Common Moorhen

Common Moorhen. Arrecife. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Common Moorhen. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Houbara Bustard

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Cream-coloured Courser

Collared Pratincole

Collared Pratincole. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Collared Pratincole. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Little Stint

Temminck´s Stint

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimberl

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Gull-billed Tern

Sandwich Tern

Wood Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Plain Swift

Common Swft

Pallid Swift

Alpine Swift

Alpine Swift. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

European Bee-eater

European Bee-eater. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

European Roller

European Roller. Teguise. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Hoopoe

Eurasian Wryneck

Eurasian Wryneck. Farm at Famara plains. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Tawny Pipit

Tawny Pipit. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Red-throated Pipit. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Water Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. thunbergi). Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. flavissima). Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. flava). Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Yellow Wagtail. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Citrine Wagtail

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin. Teguise. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin. Teguise. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Nightingale

Common Redstart

Common Redstart. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Whinchat

Whinchat. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Northern Wheatear

Black-eared Weathear

Fieldfare

Song Thrush

Redwing

Redwing. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Melodious Warbler

Melodious Warbler. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Spectacled Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Subalpine Warbler. Teguie. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Whitethroat

Common Whitethroat. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Western Bonelli´s Warbler

Western Bonelli´s Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Wood Warbler

Wood Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Willow Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher. Yaiza. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Pied Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Eurasian Golden Oriole

Eurasian Golden Oriole. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Southern Grey Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Woodchat Shrike. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Raven

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

Ortolan Bunting

Ortolan Bunting. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

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Monday, April 14, 2008 - A NEW CITRINE WAGTAIL AT TIAS GOLF COURSE-LANZAROTE

by Francisco Javier García Vargas and Antonio Unquiles Cobos

On 12/IV/2008, and adult female Citrine Wagtail was detected at Tías golf course. The bird was near the lake of the golf course, accompanied by two Yellow Wagtails. This is the second bird of this spring, after the ad. male seen at the farm of Famara plains last month, the third for Lanzarote and the fourth for Canary Islands. An exceptional year for this species in Lanzarote. Or are Citrine Wagtails less rare in Canary Islands than we have expected? Only time will tell.

Citrine Wagtail. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Citrine Wagtail (with Yellow Wagtail). Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Citrine Wagtail. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Sunday, April 13, 2008 - MARCH 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On March 2008, three new species were added to our personal list of birds observed in Lanzarote. One of them was a true rarity and (if accepted) first for Lanzarote: Pallid Harrier (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at Los Ancones on 03/III). Another new species for us was Lesser Kestrel, discovering a flock of about 40 birds roosting in a solitary palm at Famara plains on 03/III. Is possible that these birds were at the area (and ovelooked) on February, when J. Sagardía informed me about a group of kestrels flyng around this palm. The Lesser Kestrel (all the group or at least part of it) have remained at Famara plains into April.

The other new species was Common Wood Pigeon (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at Guatiza on 07/III).

About rarities, Water Pipits still at Tías golf course, remaining there into April and the ad. male Citrine Wagtail in a farm at Famara plains on 19/III. There is a special photopage of this bird on this blog.

About scarce migrants, the most remarkable was: Northern Gannet (1 ad. bird seen by J. Sagardía from Faro de Pechiguera on 08/III), Purple Heron (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at the farm of Famara plains on 05/III), White Stork (9 birds seen by J. Sagardía at Arrecife on 07/III), Common Teal (1 bird I saw at Guatiza on 01/III), Pintail (1 ad. male seen by J. Sagardía at Los Cocoteros on 31/III, remaining there into April), Marsh Harrier (1 bird at Famara plains on 06 and 31/III), Peregrine Falcon (1 bird seen by A. Unquiles at Famara plains on 27/III), Moorhen at Arrecife, Little Ringed Plovers at Arrecife, Tías golf course, the farm of Famara and Guatiza, European Golden Plover at Arrecife, including 2 birds on 28/III, Little Stints at Los Cocoteros, Eurasian Curlew (2 birds at Janubio on 02/III), Green Sandpiper at the farm of Famara, Common Tern (2 birds at Arrecife on 26/III and 15 birds at the same place on 31/III), Whiskered Tern (1 bird I saw at Tías golf course on 19/III and 4 birds seen by J. Sagardía at Arrecife on 31/III), Sand Martin, Red-rumped Swallow (including flocks of 20 or 25 at Tahíche), Red-throated Pipits at Tías golf course, remaining there into April, Grey Wagtails at Arrecife, Sedge Warbler (1 bird I saw at Arrecife on 26/III) and Woodchat Shrike (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at Famara plains on 30 and 31/III).

MARCH 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Northern Gannet

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret (building nest). Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Purple Heron

Purple Heron. Farm at Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

White Stork

White Stork. Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Teal

Pintail

Marsh Harrier

Pallid Harrier

Pallid Harrier. Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Lesser Kestrel

Lesser Kestrel. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Kestrel

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon. Famara plains. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Moorhen

Houbara Bustard

Houbara Bustard (chick). Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Cream-coloured Courser

Little Ringed Plover

Great Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Little Stint

Dunlin

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Turnstone

Black-headed Gull

Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Common Tern

Whiskered Tern

Whiskered Tern. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Woodpigeon

Common Woodpigeon. Guatiza. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Turtle Dove

Plain Swift

Common Swift

Pallid Swift

Hoopoe

Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Water Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Citrine Wagtail

Citrine Wagtail. Farm at Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Northern Wheatear

Northern Wheatear. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Song Thrush

Sedge Warbler

Spectacled Warbler

Willow Warbler

Southern Grey Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Thursday, March 20, 2008 - THE CITRINE WAGTAIL AT FAMARA (LANZAROTE)

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On 19/III/2008, with my good friend Juan José Ramos, I detected an adult male Citrine Wagtail in a little wastewater pond of a farm at Famara plains. This is the third record of this species for the Canary Islands and the second for Lanzarote, after the bird at Arrecife between 20/XI/2005 and 18/I/2006. A very nice and unexpected spring present.

Citrine Wagtail. Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Friday, March 7, 2008 - FEBRUARY 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On February 2008, a very long awaited new species was added to our personal list: Yellow-browed Warbler (1 bird seen at Puerto del Carmen between 05 and 12/II/2008). There is a special photopage of the bird in this blog.

About another rarities, Audouin´s Gulls were seen at Arrecife, with 5 birds (the highest number ever seen) on 03/II (3 ad. and 2 3rd. cal. year) and 1 bird (3rd. cal. year) on 24/02 and the 3 Water Pipits at Tías golf course, remaining there into March.

About scarce migrants the most interesting was the presence of 2 Black-necked Grebes at Janubio until 13/II, the relocation of the Mallard at Arrecife on 24/II, Little Ringed Plovers at Tías golf course, European Golden Plover at Arrecife, Common Snipe in a farm at Famara plains, Red-throated Pipits at Tias golf course, Sand Martin and Red-rumped Swallow at Arrecife and Redwing at Costa Teguise.

About breeding birds, the most remarkable was the arrival of the Cory´s Shearwaters and Cream-coloured Coursers nesting at Famara plains.

FEBRUARY 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Black-necked Grebe

Cory´s Shearwater

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Mallard

Common Kestrel

Houbara Bustard

Black-winged Stilt

Cream-coloured Courser

Cream-coloured Courser. Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Common Snipe

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Black-headed Gull

Audouin´s Gull

Audouin´s Gull. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

Pallid Swift

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin. Arrecife. Photos: J. Sagardía

Berthelot´s Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Water Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. iberiae). Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

European Robin

Black Redstart

Redwing

Sardinian Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Chiffchaff

Willow Warbler

Southern Grey Shrike

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 15 FEBRUARY 2008 SOUTH TENERIFE REPORT: THE TRICOLORED HERON SEARCH

by Juan Sagardía Pradera

On 15/02/2008 I made a trip to the south of Tenerife looking for the Tricolored Heron that has been there during more than a month. I tried to find it on December at Las Canteras beach on Gran Canaria without success. But this time was different and I could take lots of photographs of this beautiful species, never seen before in Spain.

After this and accompanied by a local friend I went to an irrigation pond in the south of the island where I took some pics of a Blacksmith Plover. This long stayer has nearly sure a captivity origin but it was a very amazing bird and was an enjoyment to take some photos of it.

A quick visit to El Fraile pond gave Eurasian Spoonbill, Eurasian Wigeon and Tufted Duck.

If you want to see more pics at higher resolution of the Tricolored Heron I invite you to see Juan Sagardía´s Birdingspain clicking on it at the links area.

Tricolored Heron. Las Americas (Tenerife). Photo: J. Sagardía

Blacksmith Plover. Irrigation pond at South Tenerife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Wigeon. El Fraile. Photo: J. Sagardía

Tufted Duck. El Fraile. Photo: J. Sagardía

Grey Wagtail (ssp. canariensis). El Fraile. Photo: J. Sagardía

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Friday, February 8, 2008 - THE YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER AT PUERTO DEL CARMEN (LANZAROTE)

by Francisco Javier García Vargas, Juan Sagardía Pradera and Antonio Unquiles Cobos

On 05/02/2008, a Yellow-browed Warbler was detected in a little garden with a few trees near the old town at Puerto del Carmen. It could be seen again on 06 and 07/02/2008 at the same garden. It is a very long awaited first for our personal list of birds observed in Lanzarote.

Yellow-browed Warbler. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Yellow-browed Warbler. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: J. Sagardía

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Friday, February 8, 2008 - JANUARY 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On January 2008, about rarities is specially remarkable the Lesser Canada Goose at plains near Montaña de Saga between 07 and 11/01. You can see a special report about the bird at recent posts area. Another interesting bird was the fourth calendar-year Audouin´s Gull that I saw at Arrecife on 18/01. Water Pipits have stayed all month at Tías golf course, remaining there into February.

About scarce migrants, were interesting the following records: Black-necked Grebe (4 birds at Janubio on 02, 11 and 20/01, beeing the highest number that we have seen on the island), Eurasian Spoonbill (1 bird at Órzola on 19/01), Common Teal (1 bird at Guatiza on 19/01), Eurasian Marsh Harrier (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at Güime on 01/01), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1 bird at Tabayesco on 10/01), Common Buzzard (1 bird at Tahiche on 03/01), Little Ringed Plover (birds at Tías golf course), European Golden Plover (2 birds at Arrecife), Red Knot (birds at La Santa and Órzola), Common Snipe (birds at Tías golf course), Black-tailed Godwit (the highest number that we have seen, with 3 birds at Los Cocoteros and 5 at Janubio), Eurasian Curlew (2 birds at Órzola and 1 at Janubio), Great Spotted Cuckoo (1 bird seen by A. Unquiles at Janubio on 30/01), Sand Martin (1 bird at La Santa on 20/01) and Red-throated Pipit (birds all month at Tías golf course and reamining there into February).

JANUARY 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Black-necked Grebe

Black-necked Grebe. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black-necked Grebe. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Eurasian Spoonbill

Lesser Canada Goose

Common Teal

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Tabayesco. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard. Tahiche. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Kestrel

Barbary Falcon

Houbara Bustard

Black-winged Stilt

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

Grey Plover

Red Knot

Sanderling

Little Stint

Dunlin

Common Snipe

Black-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Black-headed Gull

Audouin´s Gull

Audouin´s Gull. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

Great Spotted Cuckoo

Great Spotted Cuckoo. Janubio salt pans. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sky Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Water Pipit

Water Pipit. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

White Wagtail

European Robin

Northern Wheatear

Song Thrush

Spectacled Warbler

Blackcap

Common Chiffchaff

Willow Warbler

Southern Grey Shrike

Common Starling

Common Starling. Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - THE HOUBARA´S WEEK

by Juan Sagardía Pradera

I have visited Los Ancones area at Teguise between 7 and 13/I/2008 where I could see the adult males Houbara Bustards at display. At this time of the year, this often secretive species is easily detected and birds at display can be seen from the roads and tracks.

The images that you can see are the result of that amazing week. I hope you enjoy it.

Houbara Bustard. Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Houbara Bustard (ad. male at display). Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Houbara Bustard. Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

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Thursday, January 10, 2008 - THE "LESSER" CANADA GOOSE AT TEGUISE (LANZAROTE): FIRST FOR THE CANARY ISLANDS

by J. Sagardía Pradera, F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos

On 07/I/2008 J. Sagardía detected a Canada Goose of the "lesser" race at Teguise (Lanzarote), in a plains next to Montaña de Saga, near to the Ancones area. The bird was seen again on 08/I and on 09/I it was seen by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos.

The bird has a perfect plumage with intact primaries and is not ringed. It has appeared in the island after some days of bad weather.

Between 31/VIII and 02/IX/2003, F. J. García Vargas saw one bird of the "common" race at Puerto del Carmen, but that bird showed a horrible plumage and was very tame, staying at the port with domestic ducks. But the behaviour (quite shy) and the shape of this new bird is quite different.

Escape or genuine vagrant?

Canada Goose. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Canada Goose. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía. See the perfect primaries and the inctact plumage.

Canada Goose. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía. The bird shows a normal vehabiour for a wild bird, beeing quite shy.

Canada Goose. Teguise. Photo: F. J. García Vargas. The bird has no rings.

Canada Goose. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: F. J. García Vargas. The bird seen on 2003 with a very bad plumage and very tame, feeding with domestic ducks. An escape without any doubt.

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Thursday, January 3, 2008 - DECEMBER 2007 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On December 2007, one new species has been added to our list: Common Coot (1 bird seen by Juan Sagardía on 01/XII at Tías golf course), which is the first reported on Lanzarote in more than a century and the first ever seen alive on the island!!!! (the only previous record was a collected bird on a private collection at Arrecife in the beginning of the 20th century).

About rarities, Mediterranean Gull (1 bird seen at Janubio on 05/XII), Audouin´s Gull (1 bird at Arrecife on 26/XII), Rock Pipit (the bird found at La Santa on November, was still there on 01/XII) and Water Pipit (the 3 birds seen at Tías golf course on November, was still there on December, remaining into January).

About scarce migrants, the most interesting was: Black-necked Grebe (1 bird at Janubio on 05 and 11/XII), Northern Gannet (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía from Los Jameos coast on 07/XII), Eurasian Spoonbill (the ringed bird seen at Lanzarote on previous years was seen by J. Sagardía at Los Jameos coast on 07/XII), Common Teal (birds at Tías golf course), Mallard (1 bird at Arrecife on 08, 17 and 26/XII, the first seen in more than five years), Eurasian Marsh Harrier (birds at Zonzamas rubbish dump, Arrecife and Órzola), Eurasian Oystercatcher (the bird at Janubio), European Golden Plover (1 bird wintering at Arrecife), Northern Lapwing (1 bird at Tías golf course), Red Knot (birds at Los Cocoteros and Janubio), Common Snipe (birds at Tías golf course), Green Sandpiper (1 bird at Arrecife on 03/XII), Red -throated Pipit (birds at Tías golf course on 11/XII and remaining there into January), Grey Wagtail (birds at Arrecife), Stonechat (birds at Arrecife), European Serin (birds at El Cable and Tías golf course) and European Goldfinch (2 birds at Tías golf course on 11/XII).

About breeding birds, is interesting the observation of about 15 Little Shearwaters seen by J. Sagardía from Los Jameos coast on 07/XII).

DECEMBER 2007 COMPLETE LIST

Black-necked Grebe

Little Shearwater

Northern Gannet

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill. Los Jameos Coast. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Teal

Mallard

Mallard. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Eurasian Marsh Harrier. Órzola. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Kestrel

Barbary Falcon

Common Coot

Common Coot. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía. A TRUE RARITY FOR THE ISLAND!!!

Common Coot (with Common Teal). Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía. A TRUE RARITY FOR THE ISLAND!!!

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

Grey Plover

Northern Lapwing

Red Knot

Sanderling

Common Snipe

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Mediterranean Gull

Mediterranean Gull. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Black-headed Gull

Audouin´s Gull

Audouin´s Gull. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas. Very poor and distant shot

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

Laughing Dove

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Berthelot´s Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Red-throated Pipit. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit. La Santa. Photo: J. Sagardía

Water Pipit

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

European Robin

Stonechat

Northern Wheatear

Blackcap

Common Chiffchaff

Willow Warbler

Southern Grey Shrike

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

European Serin

European Serin. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

European Serin. El Cable-Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - NOVEMBER 2007 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On November 2007, four new species have been added to our personal Lanzarote´s list. Three of them were rarities: Slender-billed Gull (1 bird seen by A. Unquiles at Janubio salt pans on 05/XI). I have been informed about 2 birds at Janubio on 31/X reducing to 1 on 03/XI (Julian Bell, personal communication. Thanks a lot!!!). Rock Pipit (1 bird at La Santa on 27 and 28/XI, remaining there into December) and Water Pipit (3 birds at Tías golf course on 30/XI and still there on December).

About scarce migrants, a new species for the list was the Northern Lapwing (first birds in more than five years, incredible but true!!!), with 3 birds at Tías golf course on 02/XI, 7 birds on 03/XI, 9 birds on 04/XI, 7 birds on 14/XI, 2 birds on 20/XI and 1 bird on 30/XI, still there on december.

Another interesting observations were: Northern Gannet (1 bird I saw at El Cable beach on 26/XI), White Stork (6 birds still at Arrecife in 24/XI), Common Teal (birds at Tías golf course and Los Cocoteros salt pans), Northern Shoveler (2 birds I saw at Janubio on 30/XI), Eurasian Marsh Harrier (1 bird I saw at Tías golf course on 02/XI), Eurasian Oystercatcher (1 bird at Janubio), Little Ringed Plover (birds at Tías golf course), European Golden Plover (1 bird at Arrecife on 11/XI), Red Knot (birds at Janubio and La Santa), Common Snipe (birds at Tías golf course and Los Cocoteros), Tree Pipit (1 bird at Arrecife on 03/XI), Stonechat (birds at Tías golf course and Arrecife) and European Serin (1 bird at El Cable on 26/XI).

NOVEMBER 2007 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet. El Cable-Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

White Stork

Common Teal

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Common Kestrel

Barbary Falcon

Houbara Bustard

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

Grey Plover

Northern Lapwing

Northern Lapwing. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Red Knot

Sanderling

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Common Snipe

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Black-headed Gull

Slender-billed Gull

Slender-billed Gull. Janubio salt pans. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

Laughing Dove

Plain Swift

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sky Lark

Barn Swallow

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Water Pipit

Water Pipit. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit. La Santa. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Yellow Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

European Robin

European Robin. Uga. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Black Redstart

Stonechat

Northern Wheatear

Song Thrush

Subalpine Warbler

Blackcap

Common Chiffchaff

Willow Warbler

Blue Tit

Southern Grey Shrike

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

European Serin

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Friday, November 9, 2007 - OCTOBER 2007 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On October 2007, some interesting observations have been made, including some rarities, like the Pectoral Sandpiper at Tías golf course between 10 and 14/X.

Another rarity and first for our personal list was the Calandra Lark at Tías golf course on 21/X.

About scarce migrants, the Black Tern (1 bird I saw at Tías golf course on 20/X) was first for our island´s list too. Another interesting observations was the White Storks (7 birds remaining at Arrecife until at least 17/X), Eurasian Marsh Harrier (1 bird seen by A. Unquiles at Famara plains on 23/X), Little Ringed Plover (birds at Tías golf course and Los Cocoteros salt pans), Red Knot (birds at Los Cocoteros), Little Stint (birds at Los Cocoteros), Ruff (birds at Tías golf course and Janubio salt pans), Common Snipe (birds at Tías golf course) and Eurasian Curlew (1 bird at Janubio on 10 and 19/X).

OCTOBER 2007 COMPLETE LIST<